Syrup Sopping

Have you ever been to a Syrup Sopping festival? If you haven’t, let me tell you that you are really missing out. Syrup Sopping (now called Pioneer Day) generally takes place every year in October in Loachapoka. It’s a festival where the admission is free and so is the entertainment. People from all over the United States and around the world have come to the Syrup Sopping festival in Loachapoka, Alabama. There is truly nothing like it and the people who drive in or fly in will quickly tell you the same thing.

At the Syrup Sopping festival (I don’t like to call it Pioneer Day), you can load up on fresh cane syrup, roasted corn, old fashioned candy, deep fried pig skins in a variety of flavors and on the spot made from scratch sausage biscuits. There is never ever a shortage of food. If you are looking for unique arts, crafts and antiques, the Syrup Sopping festival is the place to be. They have the BEST cast iron skillets that you can find and at a reasonable price. Ask anyone down South what’s the best way to cook corn bread, to fry pork chops and / or chicken and they will tell you in a cast iron skillet. They come in all shapes and sizes and you best believe I have some in my kitchen.

Sad to say, it seems like the world famous Syrup Sopping festival may be dwindling away because what used to be a yearly attraction is now an every other year attraction. Still, it’s something I anxiously anticipate and something I look forward to since it still draws a nice crowd of people. One trip here and you’ll be like the other out of town folks, you’ll be itching to come back for more. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll see you there.